Mike Blackbourn: 3x1 Coverage Variations

with Mike Blackbourn,
Iowa Western Community College Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach / Academic Coordinator;
2025 NJCAA National Champions;
2023 NJCAA National Champions;
2022 NJCAA National Champions;
Won the 2012 NJCAA National Championship after only four years as a program;
former North Iowa Area Community College Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach;
played linebacker for South Dakota State University in college

Sound coverage concepts are important in the modern game due to the stress that is put on the secondary by fast-paced spread offenses that utilize RPO concepts. 3x1 formations can often create additional stress for the defense and cause issues for teams that like to stay in a two-high safety coverage. In this video, Iowa Western Community College defensive coordinator, Mike Blackbourn, demonstrates some of his favorite 3x1 coverage variations that are sound against the run and the pass.

Cover 2 Variations

Utilizing a few variations of cover 2 is one of the preferred strategies that Coach Blackbourn deploys within his defense. Utilizing variations of cover 2 allows the defense to keep its two-high structure while still being able to stay gap sound against the run, and also able to play vertical. Blackbourn spends time on various RPO concepts that are common from 3x1 sets and how he teaches his players to react based on the coverage. Some of the cover 2 variations included are cover 2 mini, cover 2 cheat, and cover 6 (1/4, 1/4, 1/2).

Cover 57 and Sally

Coach Blackbourn also goes into two other coverage concepts: cover 57 and Sally coverage. Cover 57 is a pattern matching style of coverage that is mostly used in goal line and red zone situations. Sally coverage is a cover 3 variation that allows the defense to keep the linebackers closer to the box to defend against the run and be able to defend against the 4 strong RPO. Additionally, you'll also learn:

• How to cancel out interior gaps to keep leverage on the formation.
• When to use certain calls against 3x1 based on what the offense does.
• How Blackbourn prefers to adjust to motion when playing zone defense.

Answering and adjusting to what the offense does is vital for modern defenses. Coach Blackbourn demonstrates several options to defend 3x1 formations, which are usually problematic for teams that base out of a two-high structure. With the concepts in this video, you will have your team more prepared for anything the offense throws at you!

39 minutes. 2021.